Fearing firing, residents leave border villages in Jammu

Fearing firing from Pakistani forces, around 2,000 villagers belonging Friday left three villages close to the international border in Jammu district to move to safer places, police said.

Police sources told IANS here that around 500 families Friday migrated out of Korotana, Nai Basti and Vidipur Jatta villages in R.S.Pura sector of the international border in Jammu, fearing firing from Pakistan Rangers.

"These families have taken shelter in two government high school buildings in R.S.Pura sub-division," the officer said.

Reports from the area said the families are complaining that there is no electricity and drinking water facility inside the schools where they are presently sheltered.

For the last fortnight, Pakistan Rangers have been firing in R.S. Pura and Arnia areas of Jammu district, triggering widespread panic in villages close to the international border in these areas.